Chicken Diseases

If you have a pet chicken, or if you breed them, then this AnimalSake article will help you gain information on the different types of diseases that these birds are prone to.

Chickens are probably the least demanding and easygoing pets that you can ever have, no matter which breed they belong to. As long as you feed them properly and give them a hygienic space, they will not bother you at all. Unlike other pets who need constant care, attention, patting, and pampering, chickens would want you to leave them alone most of the time! They are prone to many health issues, which if left unnoticed, may lead to the death of the bird, along with spreading the infection to other poultry animals, as well.

Some Common Diseases

The table below will give you information about the different diseases that are commonly found in chickens, along with their respective causes and symptoms.

Disease

Cause

Symptoms

Aspergillosis

Fungi infection

Breathing problem

Decrease in feed consumption

Paralysis

Skin color changes to bluish dark

Avian influenza or bird flu

Virus infection

Lesser production of eggs

Respiratory distress

Diarrhea

Dark red/white spots on the legs and combs

Secretion of blood tinged discharge from nostrils

Fowl pox

Virus infection

Lesions on un-feathered body areas

Retarded growth

Lesser production of eggs

Un-thriftiness

Marek’s disease

Virus infection

Paralysis

Greenish diarrhea

Irregular pupil shape or blindness

Enlarged feather follicles

Lameness and paleness

Scaly combs

Difficulty breathing

Botulism

Toxin

Paralysis

Limped neck

Feather follicles around the neck become loose

Salmonella

Bacterial infection

Huddling

Weakness

Diarrhea

Droopiness

Feces are chalk white in color

Newcastle disease

Virus infection

Gasping

Watery discharge from the nostrils

Paralysis

Twisted neck

Swollen face

Trembling

Lymphoid leukosis

Avian leukosis virus

Weakness

Enlarged abdomen

Greenish diarrhea

Regression of the comb

Ulcerative enteritis

Bacterial infection

Lesser feed consumption

Depression

Dullness in feathers

Watery droppings

Omphalitis

Umbilical cord stump

Dehydration

Infection in the external navel

Peritoneal inflammation with foul odor

Skin edema on the ventral areas

Some other diseases are:

Infectious bronchitis

Infectious coryza

Infectious laryngotracheitis

Swollen head syndrome

Infectious bursal disease

Avian encephalomyelitis

Egg drop syndrome

Fowl cholera

Necrotic enteritis

Staphylococcus

Symptoms Indicating Your Chicken is Sick

A healthy bird would have clear eyes, shiny feathers, would eat properly, and would move around frequently. The comb would be healthy and the gait would be positioned upright and alert. Mentioned below are the symptoms you should be suspicious of.

Foul smell

Presence of mites and lice

Scaly legs

Lesions

Constant weight loss

Watery discharge from the nostrils

Watery droppings

Reduction in egg production

Paralysis

Breathing problems

Paleness and weakness

Sitting at a place and hardly moving around

Preventive Steps

Providing these pets with a healthy environment and taking care of the aforementioned points that are minor but important in nature, would help you in preventing most of these illnesses. Mentioned below are some steps that you can take for prevention.

Provide them with freshwater and grains on a regular basis.

Make sure that you give them a well-balanced diet.

Keep their coops clean and dry.

Make sure that they have enough space to move around.

The temperature at which the chicks are kept is also essential. It should not be less than 90°F for the young ones.

Be in touch with the local vet who is qualified for effective treatment, and make it a point to get your chickens checked once in a while, especially when you notice that they are acting unusual.

The aforementioned ailments can be taken care of and treated, if diagnosed at an early stage. It is also advisable to keep the sick birds away from the healthy ones as the disease may spread to the others, as well.

Disclaimer: This article is meant for informational purposes only and should not be considered as a replacement for expert advice.

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